University of Manchester

This three-year Programme, leading to a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, is provided by the Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health of the University of Manchester. The University of Manchester is the largest single-site University in the UK and the Division has an international reputation for the development and evaluation of psychological therapies, with particular strengths in CBT, psychosis, emotional problems in adults and children, functional (“medically unexplained”) symptoms and health psychology. The ClinPsyD Programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), NHS Health Education England. The Programme is based on the main University of Manchester campus.

The Programme aims to provide trainees with skills that will enable them to be reflective scientist practitioners using a range of psychological approaches within the changing context of the NHS. In addition to a comprehensive in-depth training in cognitive-behavioural approaches, teaching is provided in psychodynamic interpersonal therapy, systemic approaches, clinical neuropsychology work, team working and leadership, research methods and other therapeutic and clinical approaches. A critical evaluation of all models is emphasised throughout the training. There is a strong emphasis on research throughout the programme and students work alongside research programmes within the Division of Psychology and Mental Health in particular.

The Programme extends over three calendar years. For many years we had an annual intake of 24 trainees. For the 2020 cohort this figure was increased to 30, which was further increased to 39 in 2021 and 2022, with a further small increase to 40 for the 2023 and 2024 cohorts in line with the additional commissions granted by NHS England.

We are proud of the fact that Manchester is a diverse city and are keen to encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds and intersectional identities.

Enquiries regarding the Programme should be made to the Programme Administrator.

Trainee Support

Trainee Feedback on Programme

It is the Programme's policy to seek regular feedback from trainees on all aspects of the programme. Such feedback has played an important part in shaping the Programme in recent years. There is trainee representation on all Programme committees.

Trainee Development and Personal Support

The Programme places considerable importance on trainee wellbeing and development. A number of formal and informal support systems are available to trainees. 
 
Each trainee is allocated a Clinical Tutor and Academic Advisor for the duration of their training, who offer support on clinical and academic areas of the programme, as well as more individualised support.  For students experiencing more significant psychological distress, clinical tutors can also signpost and support access to the student counselling and The University of Manchester specialist student mental health provision. We endorse the DCP position statement that people with lived experience of psychological distress and mental health difficulties are an asset to the profession and make a significant contribution to it. We will always respond compassionately to any trainee or staff member seeking support with distress and mental health difficulties.

The programme has a trainee wellbeing lead, who is responsible for developing new initiatives to support trainees’ wellbeing within the programme in line with NHS and national guidance.  These include: a mentoring scheme for trainees from local qualified clinical psychologists and weekly wellbeing drop-in slots provided by the clinical tutor team. The programme also has external Trainee Advocates, who are qualified Clinical Psychologists independent of the programme management team, who undertakes an advocacy role on behalf of the trainees.

The Programme has a module dedicated to the personal and professional development of trainees. Regular reflective practice groups are timetabled throughout the programme where smaller numbers of trainees meet (facilitated by a member of the programme team in year 1 and the first term of year 2), which focus on personal and professional development. There is a "buddy" system so that new trainees will be contacted prior to training by a trainee already on the Programme. There are quarterly staff-student liaison meetings between trainees and senior programme staff to facilitate communication and trainee consultation.

Please note: The information above is accurate at the time of writing but is subject to change. Any changes will follow and be communicated in line with University guidance.